Yale Falls to Penn

Jan 17, 2009

Jan. 17, 2009

PHILADELPHIA, Penn. - In this season's Ivy opener, Yale fell to Penn, 181.475 to 184.900. However, Yalies won three out of four events, and senior Alina Liao placed first in the all-around. She also won bars, while fellow senior Lauren Tatsuno won beam and junior Brigitte Kivisto won floor.

The Bulldogs had a rough start on bars, where several injuries are hampering the team's ability to have a healthy line-up. However, Sarah Hughes had a beautiful routine that earned her a 9.25, placing third. Liao scored a 9.575 for the event's title.

Vault picked up. Tatsuno and Allison Mak tied for second place with a pair of 9.575s and Liao's 9.55 placed third. Sherry Yang earned a 9.225.

Yale then went to floor, in which the team outscored Penn by over two points - 47.125 to 44.25. Mak started the line-up with a 9.175. Yang and Hughes followed with powerful routines premiering new tumbling passes, and earned 9.475 and 9.35, respectively. Tatsuno added a 9.475, and Kivisto's 9.65 won the event. Tatsuno and Yang tied for third place.

On beam, the Bulldogs were forced to count some uncharacteristic falls from several members. Yang (8.6), Mak (8.775), and Liao (8.975) all struggled on Yale's best event. Kivisto was solid and her 9.6 earned third place. Tatsuno was nearly flawless, winning beam with a 9.7.

Liao won the all-around competition with a 37.125. Mak also competed in the all-around, totaling a 35.825.

Typically, each team puts up six routines on each event and five are counted towards the team score. But due to injuries and illnesses, the Bulldogs were only able to field a six women line-up on one event, meaning that on the other events, every score counted.

"When we have to count all five scores, there's no place for error," summarized head coach Barbara Tonry.

Next Saturday, Yale will travel to Bridgeport for a tri-meet with UNH. Competition starts at 1:00pm.